Mohali, March 13 (IANS) Riding on a captain’s knock of 72 from Gautam Gambhir, Delhi Daredevils beat Kings XI Punjab by five wickets in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium here Saturday.
Gambhir’s flamboyant 72 came off 54 balls as Daredevils made 146 for five wickets with one ball to spare in reply to Kings XI’s 142 for nine in 20 overs.

Gambhir played a composed knock and repaired the innings after Daredevils slumped to 79 for four by the 13th over. Gambhir hit nine fours and a six and by the time he departed in the last over, Daredevils were alredy on the threshold of a win.

Dinesh Karthik (20) and Mithun Manhas (31 not out) also came up with useful contributions. Manhas slammed Irfan Pathan for four in the penultimate delivery of the innings for the winning runs.

Earlier, Ravi Bopara scored 48-ball 56 that helped Kings XI Punjab post a competitive 142 for nine.

Bopara struck seven fours and a six and with Pathan (21), bailed out Kings XI from a precarious 44 for four after 6.1 overs.

Captain Kumar Sangakkara (17) and Sreesanth (15) were the other two batsmen who could get to double digits.

For Dardevils, pacer Dirk Nannes and Farveez Maharoof picked up two wickets each.